Monteverde Cloud Forest: A Guide to Costa Rica's Wildlife Paradise

Lush jungle, treetop walkways and ethereal mist are all waiting in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica. This biological preserve is home to jaguars, hummingbirds and capuchin monkeys, so book a guided tour, or explore on your own.

Let us do the hard work for you; book yourself on a nine-day group trip with a local insider that takes you to all Costa Rica’s hidden spots.

Established in 1972, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve boasts no less than six ecosystems, with an estimated 100 species of mammal, 490 species of butterfly and 400 species of bird, and a total of 2,500 species of flora and fauna. Many endemic species aren’t found anywhere else on earth, such as the colourful fiery-throated hummingbird and the oddly named highland fringe-limbed treefrog. For wildlife lovers, there’s no finer place to be.

Shrouded in warm mist, it’s not difficult to see how cloud forests get their name. It feels as if the sky has descended into the forest; the clouds condense onto the lush foliage and drip onto the plants below, like a natural terrarium. The moist warmth of the forest encourages unparalleled biodiversity and the water produced from the slow drip-drip of the plants is invaluable to neighbouring villages as a water supply.

The reserve is one of the few remaining habitats where you can find all six species of the cat family – jaguars, ocelots, pumas, oncillas, margays and jaguarundis. We highly recommend you join a guided tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve to navigate your way through this wildlife wonderland. This way, you’re supporting local communities and getting the best possible experience in this tropical paradise.

For bird spotters, getting up early for a dawn tour is a must. Hundreds of rare birds call the reserve home, including the endangered three-wattled bellbird with its loud “bong” of a call and the resplendent quetzal with its ostentatious red-and-green plumage. There are no less than 30 types of hummingbird to find, and your guide will be able to take you to just the right place for the best chance to spot them.

And it’s not just birds you can spot here. Howler, spider and capuchin monkeys swing through the dense foliage, and cute little kinkajous, olingos and two-toed sloths are just some of the tree-dwelling creatures you can tick off your list.

Only 450 people are allowed inside the reserve each day, and only 250 at any one time, so make sure you book ahead.

While in the forest, we recommend you wear lightweight long trousers; make sure to pack a raincoat and under-layers. Hiking boots are best for traversing the often wet, slippery terrain. Keep your flip-flops for the hotel pool!

You can discover the forest in a number of ways, from hiking on trails, canopy walkways and vertigo-inducing rope bridges, to horse riding through the magical mist. More adventurous travellers can fly through the treetops on a network of zip wires.

It’s predicted that the climate crisis could have a devastating effect on the cloud forests of Costa Rica. Rising temperatures will lead to the forests’ natural cycles changing, and possibly even drying up completely. Supporting conservation efforts is paramount to the survival of these ecosystems. Using local guides and putting the environment first is vital, both at home and abroad.